I have not been able to find a formal announcement yet but I was checking the SAS site earlier today for an upcoming trip to Copenhagen out of SFO next spring and i noticed that they have just loaded a non stop SFO-CPH operating daily except Tuesdays.... starting April 10th 2013...

it will be awesome to have SAS at SFO. This route has been rumored for long time, it seems it is becoming real

Also CPH-EWR will go from 7 to 11 flights.
But I don't believe it before there is an official announcement from SAS AND we are in April 2013.
BTW from were will they get the planes? will they axe some of their Asian routes?
I could see CPH-BKK gone next summer, sadly with the proud history this route has had.

SK cant fly to California to far away and to few connections etc. CPH isnt that connected with IT, IT is in Sweden and Norway.

Ah well, Im sure some routeplanner is happy with that...
When they are at it why dont they try to get a piece of the cruisetraffic to CPH that is so low yielding they loose money on every passenger that flies again.
Was another of those bright ideas...

Quoting panam330 (Reply 10):Didn't they fly this via SEA up until the mid-2000s? What's changed that makes this viable now, in a comparatively horrid economy?

I used to see their A340s flying into Seattle in the afternoons, I think they dropped it in late 2009, probably due to connections (LH 491 gets you way more connections when it arrives in FRA in the early morning). As far as SFO, the bay is buzzing with tech stuff, so I can see that getting more attention.

The route to SEA was discontinued due to the loss of a cargo contract which was very profitable. Without this contract they started to lose money.

What I am wondering is the same as CopenhagenBoy Where will they get the planes?
This week saw several cancellations due to a plane going tech at ORD, and they have no spare plane.
So either, they will ax a route or two, or they will add capacity. I hope the latter, as SK seems a little below the critical mass.

Quoting copenhagenboy (Reply 7):BTW from were will they get the planes? will they axe some of their Asian routes?
I could see CPH-BKK gone next summer, sadly with the proud history this route has had.

No new planes are coming in so my predictions is that BKK will close, as the yield here is supposed to be mediocre. Competition here is hard, and increasing due to the Middle-East carriers and probably soon Norwegian. So SAS should let their partner Thai fly this for them, and when their announced JV with Singapore Airlines comes into effect, South-East Asia should be well covered.

In my view this makes sense, I as think they will make more money on SFO than BKK

Quoting MAV88 (Reply 9):Isn't MIA a popular rumor to get service? I have read on a few occasions that people have speculated that MIA would get non-stop service to CPH and possible ARN.

SAS will not start MIA. Florida is low yielding and MIA is not a Star hub, so forget about it. Those rumours you're hearing are wish thinking and nothing else

Quoting panam330 (Reply 10):
Didn't they fly this via SEA up until the mid-2000s? What's changed that makes this viable now, in a comparatively horrid economy?

No, they never flew to SFO. Back in the very old days (pre 1980s or so) they flew CPH-SEA-LAX, but when LAX was closed in 1994, it was non-stop

Quoting someone83 (Reply 15):No new planes are coming in so my predictions is that BKK will close, as the yield here is supposed to be mediocre. Competition here is hard, and increasing due to the Middle-East carriers and probably soon Norwegian. So SAS should let their partner Thai fly this for them, and when their announced JV with Singapore Airlines comes into effect, South-East Asia should be well covered.

Makes sense.

TG also has the flexibility to adjust the size of plane according to seasonal fluctuations, and they have a cost benefit compared to SK.

Next year TG will replace the aging 744 with 77W to CPH, effetively decreasing the number of seats overall, but increasing premium capacity. This was speculated to be an indication that TG would go double-daily to CPH. With this move by SK I'm certain that TG will go double-daily in the high-season, and adjust in the low-season.

Great news SAS!! A CPH connection is a lot easier than a LHR/FRA/EWR connection to get on the SK codeshare flights

Quoting someone83 (Reply 15):No new planes are coming in so my predictions is that BKK will close, as the yield here is supposed to be mediocre

I am not sure that they will or need to close any route to fly to SFO. They now have 11 LH aircraft again (4 330s and 7 340s) which the also had when the used to fly to SEA. I don't think that it is very unlikely to see another (leased) 330 or two in SK colors soon.

On a side note a closure of BKK would be disastrous for me, as I fly it on average three times a year

Quoting SASDC8 (Reply 18):I am not sure that they will or need to close any route to fly to SFO. They now have 11 LH aircraft again (4 330s and 7 340s) which the also had when the used to fly to SEA. I don't think that it is very unlikely to see another 330 or two in SK colors soon.

To start SFO they need to cut another route, or get a new plane. When they flew CPH-SEA, CPH-PVG and OSL-EWR didn't operate.

There's a constant misunderstanding about the yield of the CPH - BKK route. At least I won't change my view until I've seen some hard numbers.

Just because Thailand is a low yield destination, it doesn't necessarily mean that this route is. I have been on this route about 30 - 40 times in the C cabin, and my destination has never been Thailand. From what I've seen and heard around me, that is also the case for almost all other C passengers. "We" travel to/from SIN, KUL, MNL, TPE, HKG etc, and we all connect through BKK and SK973/972.

Quoting panam330 (Reply 10):Didn't they fly this via SEA up until the mid-2000s? What's changed that makes this viable now, in a comparatively horrid economy?

The star A presence at SFO, will make this route a better contender than SEA-CPH did at the end. As stated above cargo was big for SK and when cargo was no longer able to carry the flight, the low yield bulk ticket business they had gotten into, was unable to keep the flight profitable. Premium was not a huge percentage of those seats, and wasn't SK offering a less amenity driven premium product vs it's rival competitors BA, LH, DL/NW all with non-stops to Europe and connections onwards to Scandinavia or elsewhere?

Quoting EBGARN (Reply 22):There's a constant misunderstanding about the yield of the CPH - BKK route. At least I won't change my view until I've seen some hard numbers.

Just because Thailand is a low yield destination, it doesn't necessarily mean that this route is. I have been on this route about 30 - 40 times in the C cabin, and my destination has never been Thailand. From what I've seen and heard around me, that is also the case for almost all other C passengers. "We" travel to/from SIN, KUL, MNL, TPE, HKG etc, and we all connect through BKK and SK973/972.

Totally agree.
Until I see the actual, non-manipulated figures, then I will believe.
And I'm sure, BKK won't be closed anytime soon!

Since flight will start APR 2013, I'm sure, BKK/NRT/PVG frequencies will be reduced.
Say 4-5 weekly BKK, 4-5 weekly NRT and 3-4 weekly PVG.
They are back with 7 x 340-300s frames so it should be okay.

Scandinavian Airlines is continuing to expand its network and will add an
additional nine weekly services to the US: a new six weekly route between
Copenhagen and San Francisco, commencing April 8, 2013 and a new evening
departure to New York three times a week as of April 1, 2013.
North America is an important and growing market for SAS. A large number of
International and Nordic companies have expressed a strong desire for a direct
service between the US West Coast and the Nordic countries, and SAS is pleased
to offer this new route with six weekly departures year-round between Copenhagen
and San Francisco, with smooth connections to other European and Northern
American destinations.

"SAS is always looking to serve markets where there is high demand from Nordic
Travelers. We see a favorable market situation in North America and a
particularly strong demand in the growth area of San Francisco and the US West
Coast. The new route will benefit business and leisure travelers, Nordic imports
and exports and has been highly sought after by the business community," says
Rickard Gustafson, CEO of SAS Group.

The important hub of the US West Coast, San Francisco International Airport,
offers fast and efficient transfers to an extensive SAS partner route network on
the US West Coast and the South Pacific area, including Hawaii, Los Angeles, Las
Vegas, San Diego, Seattle, Vancouver and Mexico City.

Three more frequencies to New York

A large number of SAS passengers have expressed a strong desire for additional
departures from Copenhagen to Newark. By popular demand, SAS is pleased to bring
back this evening flight with 3 weekly frequencies from Copenhagen to Newark.
These new frequencies will provide even greater travel flexibility for both
business and leisure travelers.

"We are pleased to be able to deliver new service in response to our customers'
wishes," says Rickard Gustafson.

Currently, SAS operates nonstop service from Copenhagen, Oslo and Stockholm to
New York, as well from both Copenhagen and Stockholm to Chicago, and Copenhagen
to Washington DC.

SAS and San Francisco

· SAS is the only airline to offer a nonstop service between Northern Europe
and San Francisco and is expecting approximately 125,000 passengers per year on
the route.
· SAS will depart from Copenhagen daily, except Tuesdays, at 12:25 pm,
arriving San Francisco at 2:24 pm same day. Departure from San Francisco to
Copenhagen also daily, except Tuesdays, at 5:35 pm arriving the next day in
Copenhagen at 1:15 pm.
· Flying time will be 11 hours and 20 minutes. The departure times provide the
best transfer opportunities to other destinations in Scandinavia and Northern
Europe.

SAS and New York

· Departure from Copenhagen will be at 6:25 pm and arriving Newark at 8:50 pm
the same day. The late Copenhagen service will depart Newark at 11:30 pm and
arrive in Copenhagen the next day at 1:15pm. It will be the last flight
departure from Newark to Europe.
· The flight will operate on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays.

Quoting oykie (Reply 21):There is a news article today that says SK is thinking about a OSL-IAH route to connect the two oil cities together. That would be nice.

The newsarticle also mentions SVG-IAH as a possible route, as Stavanger SVG (the Norwegian oil capital) is more of an oil city than OSL, since all the oil companies have most of their main offices in Norway here. According to the article SAS says that the market will decide which city might get this route. However, since OSL has more passengers than SVG, there might be a higher chance of them getting it. Would be cool, though, to see a SAS wide body fly scheduled flights from SVG

If a route like this open it will most likely be a premium configured single aisle wet leased aircraft. Such as Lufthansa does with their flights operated by Privatair.

Quoting Norwegian737 (Reply 26):since all the oil companies have most of their main offices in Norway here.

That's not corrects, although their main operating offices often is in SVG. Large companies such as Statoil and Aker Solutions has their top management sitting in Oslo. And there is many thousands people employed in the oil industry here in Oslo as well. Although I agree that Stavanger is the "Oil capital" of Norway

But I believe a route either will start in SVG or fly an OSL-SVG-IAH routing

Quoting someone83 (Reply 27):That's not corrects, although their main operating offices often is in SVG. Large companies such as Statoil and Aker Solutions has their top management sitting in Oslo. And there is many thousands people employed in the oil industry here in Oslo as well.

Of course, thousands of people are employed in the oil industry all over Norway, and especially in Oslo and Stavanger.

Quoting someone83 (Reply 19):To start SFO they need to cut another route, or get a new plane. When they flew CPH-SEA, CPH-PVG and OSL-EWR didn't operate.

I thought they did operate CPH-PVG and CPH-SEA at the same time? The only new one then is OSL-EWR, but the 4 330s will have their work cut out for them with all EWR and ORD frequencies, so I guess you might be right in that 11 AC is not enough.

I really don't see SK cutting in the NRT schedule, as there are some very important and lucrative cargo on this route.

Quoting EBGARN (Reply 22):There's a constant misunderstanding about the yield of the CPH - BKK route. At least I won't change my view until I've seen some hard numbers.

I totally agree with you. I fly this route in C three times a year and always a large percentage of pax in the C-cabin are connecting to SIN, KUL, or HKG, so the notion that SK does not make money on this flights is to my knowledge quite wrong.

I don't think SAS is in any position to start MIA (let alone California service) their cost-structure is too high and they should focus on higher yielding routes. Now te rumors you heard were probably of Finnair or Norwegain coming to MIA, which are quite strong and are expected as it Is a popular destination just terribly low-yielding from Scandanavia.

Quoting sweair (Reply 15):Havent been flying SK forever.. I just dont like them anymore..

I don't like them on shorthaul routes.. inflated prices and the service level of a low cost carrier. However, I really like them on longhaul routes, but I think the SAS brand stands for an ineffective way of running an airline and an airline still stuck in the 90s with unions killing every initiative the board has to make the airline efficient again. Instead the Scandinavian taxpayer has to pay the salary of some spoiled crewmembers.

WIth stupid decisions like these, it wouldn't surprise me to see SK be the next European airline to fold.

Well I guess the gentlemen who runs SAS oesn't have a clue as to what they are doing. But as of last year SAS made money on their longhaul division!!! Making money seems to be they way to avoid bankruptcy, no?

Even if only 10 and not 11, still great news. They're really giving New York more attention now, both snapping up (former)CO and DL pax, as well as giving DY a warm welcome if/when they start Scandinavia-New York. First nonstop from Oslo, and now the old evening flight from CPH coming back, even if only 3 x weekly. My first long-haul flight on SK was back in 1999 on this exact flight CPH-EWR with my high school class, operated by a good old 763 Good to see it back. By the way it appears that both CPH-EWR flights will be flown by 330 and 340 equipment interchangably; or anyone has a pattern here? I believe they are already using 340 on some EWR flights?

Quoting copenhagenboy (Reply 6):BTW from were will they get the planes? will they axe some of their Asian routes?
I could see CPH-BKK gone next summer, sadly with the proud history this route has had.

As many above, I also wonder about this - their long-haul equipment is on as really tight schedule now! Hate to see BKK go; there appears to be widely differing opinions on this above.. I have never flown SK to BKK, but looking at the low fares they often have, the huge increase in competition from M.E. carriers, and the co-operation with SQ and TG, I guess it could be a candidate. Also, axing BKK would yield a lot of aircracft-hours versus other routes - the 343 is away from CPH for around 32 hours, including a long rest in BKK that was previously used to do a short hop to SIN.

Anyway, they have to do something - CPH-SFO 6 x weekly requires well above a single 343 just for that route.

SK cant fly to California to far away and to few connections etc. CPH isnt that connected with IT, IT is in Sweden and Norway.

Hmmm... well, as enthusiastic as I always am when SK announces new routes, particularly long-haul, I can't help thinking just a bit like you do above.. problem with California is, that it costs what, 30-40-50 % or so more to fly there than to the East Coast, but yields are often only marginally higher - take any campaign to the US by BA, KL, LH or others, and fares to California are maybe only 10-15 % higher than fares to the East Coast. As for connections, you are also right, that if you're going anywhere else than the West Coast or Hawaii (and possibly LAS, PHX), ORD, IAD or EWR does the job better.

IT will definitely drive a lot of (high-yield) traffic on this route - and therefore CPH is of course the natural choice. I don't agree that IT is predominantly in Norway or Sweden, but even if that was the case, CPH would still be the natural choice; SFO from ARN or OSL would not make sense at all.

Quoting AirPacific747 (Reply 32):I don't like them on shorthaul routes.. inflated prices and the service level of a low cost carrier. However, I really like them on longhaul routes

I would almost agree with you here - but yesterday something changed my mind! I flew CPH-PLQ in Economy Extra, and both ways the food was excellent - seriously, for airline food, this was delicious, I have never tried anything like this on a short-haul SK flight before. Usually, food in Y+ is nothing special at all. So perhaps things are changing for the better...

Quoting g500 (Reply 27):what about the back? People from Scandinavia don't really care to explore Houston, or Texas for that matter.

Could be VFR traffic.
Per the Norway consulate general in Houston, Houston has the most Noweigian expats in the world, outside Scandinavia.
The business links are very, very strong, whether that means a n/s flight, I do not know.

BA would most likely not be happy about it as they carry a large amount of traffic IAH-Norway via LHR.

Very interesting. Well I guess it doesn't hurt them too much to try it. I've flown them in years past via both SEA and LAX, and I'll definitely try them out on the new route to/from SFO as well. And I like the schedule; convenient for both xfers and o/d trips.

The Swedish version of the press release states that the anticipated market comprises 55% Scandinavia-based, 35% America-based, and 10% other-Europe-based customers. They estimate a total of 125,000 annual boardings, or a load factor of about 81% if my quick math is correct.